Selection of the appropriate frequency for Galileo® Therapy

Regardless of the stimulation frequency, microcirculation and blood flow can be significantly improved within the ativated body parts. Flexibility and thus the energy storage capacity in the muscle-tendon complex can be increased. The stimulation frequency also has direct impact on the effect of Galileo Therapy and must be chosen according to the therapy objective of the individual exercise. It should be noted that the information listed below may vary by a few Hertz individually, depending on the fitness level of the user.

Depending on the used frequency range the muscle or the body responds in different ways. The following three frequency ranges of Galileo Therapy are therefore not arbitrary chosen but are defined as a result of muscle physiology (biological and mechanical properties of muscle) and its neuronal control.

Intermediate frequencies (ca. 12–20 Hertz)

At a stimulation frequency of 15 Hertz, for example, the time between two reflex cycles is about 67 milliseconds. After the contraction the remaining time is sufficient for the muscle to completely relax again before the next contraction because the average time for a complete physiological contraction-/relaxation cycle is only about 50 milliseconds. This is particularly important if the basic functions of the muscle, namely contraction, relaxation and coordination are targeted. Due to the large number of repetitions (e.g. 3 minutes Galileo Therapy at 18 Hertz corresponds to 3240 cycles) improvement of muscle function can be achieved much faster than with most conventional training methods. Also crucial, is the fact that muscle activity during Galileo Therapy in this frequency range is not mainly consciously controlled but, rather, is dominantly based on reflexes and therefore mainly unaffected by the user's volition. This ensures that the control loops consisting of muscle -ligaments - tendons - cartilage - nerves can be improved independently. At the same time almost the entire chain of muscles and therefore their coordination is always simulated. Essential for this coordination effect with Galileo Therapy is that the muscle-chain is stimulated in physiologically meaningful patterns similar to human gait. For these reasons this type of stimulation is also called mechnao-stimulation.

Effects

Improvement of muscle function and coordination

Muscle relaxation

Stretching of muscles and tendons

Reduction of contractures

Relaxation of muscles of the back muscles

Pain reduction

Body sensation

Reduction of passive spasticity (spasticiy management)

12-14Hz: Lymphatic drainage (in combiantion with surgical stocking)

12-14Hz: Muscle relaxation, reduction of delayed muscle pain

High frequencies (ca. 20–40 Hertz)

High frequencies between 20 and 40 Hz are used mainly to improve muscle power and muscle force.

At high frequencies muscles do not have enough time for a complete relaxation between two cycles. Rather, the muscle is forced into re-contraction when it is just about to relax or has relaxed partially. As a result an increasing number of muscle fibers/motoric units neet to be recruited, which causes increased muscle contraction. At the same time inter- and intramuscular coordination (specifically at larger forces and within a very short time span) can be targeted, which consequently can increased muscle power. Elite athletes, using the Galileo have shown that frequencies above 35 Hz can be useful for athletes. In many other cases a maximum frequency of 30 to 33 Hz is sufficient for most users.However very sportive individuals and especailly athletes can profit from frequencies of up to 36Hz or 40Hz respectively.

Effects

Improvement of muscle tone

Increase of muscle power (energetic exhaustion)

Increase or re-establishment of muscle force

Increase of endurance capacity

Body sensation

Reduction of active spasticity (spasticity management by energetic exhaustion and reduction of the spinal excitability)

Low frequencies (ca. 5–12 Hertz)

Low frequencies between 5 and 12 Hz are used for mobilisation.

At low frequencies the motion of the Galileo Therapy platform is not fast enough to dominantly trigger stretch reflexes. Low frequencies result mainly in more conscious compensation of the tilting movement of the platform and are therefore especially targeting mobilisation as well as balance an proprioception. They are characterised by significantly increased movement of the hip.